This bill introduces a new definition for "personal identifiers" in RSA 5-C:1, which encompasses various primary identifiers such as an individual's name, address, spouse's name, children's names, and social security number. It amends several sections of the RSA to limit the Department of Health and Human Services' access to vital records, specifically restricting them to mortality and natality statistical data that excludes personal identifiers. Additionally, the bill requires the state registrar and secretary of state to create a memorandum of understanding for managing the state's vital records statistical system, which must be reviewed annually. The fiscal note indicates that the Department of State may incur costs under $10,000 due to these changes, while the Department of Health and Human Services could face a significant loss of federal funding, estimated between $7 million to $10 million annually, potentially affecting 17.55 full-time equivalent positions.

The bill also outlines the allocation of funds for various health-related programs and initiatives, including over $1.9 million for the HRSA Maternal and Child Health Block Grant and other funds for programs such as the CDC Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program. It raises concerns about the potential impact on the Estate Recovery Unit's (ERU) ability to recover funds, which could lead to reduced recoveries to the State General Fund and compliance issues with federal programs, risking sanctions and loss of funding. The ERU recovered over $10 million in FY2023, with the State of New Hampshire's share being over $4 million. The bill emphasizes the importance of access to vital records for federal reporting, grant eligibility, and needs assessments, and acknowledges that the bill could affect research projects, health-related funding, and community health organizations. The overall fiscal impact is indeterminable at this time, with unknown costs for data systems, quality assurance, and fraud prevention, and is not expected to occur until FY 2025. Both the Department of State and Department of Health and Human Services were consulted regarding the bill.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 5-C:1, 5-C:9, 126:24-c, 126:24-cc, 126:24-d